Genarlow Wilson doesn't deserve to be in jail for ten years. But this judge has no more right to change the sentence than he has to break Wilson out of jail. And as Bernita notes, it's a dangerous precedent:

What if another judge in Georgia decided to just change someone's sentence regardless of another court's ruling? What if a judge decided to lengthen someone's sentence based on their own viewpoint. Let's understand that WE ARE IN GEORGIA. It is not like the courts have a history of fairness.

For every judge who releases a person like Wilson, there are two who would release prisoners far less deserving. Sentencing already favors the wealthy and well-connected, and re-sentencing would be no different.

In a way, Wilson's case illustrates that fact. He's no Paris Hilton or Scooter Libby, of course, and if he weren't black, it seems unlikely that he would be in jail at all. But he was an athlete and honor student, and his halo has helped bring attention to his case. Would a less perfect teen have advocates in the state legislature, or Congress?

Wilson's imprisonment is an injustice. I'd like to see it end. But I'd like to see a just end, one that ensures that the justice Wilson deserves is guaranteed to everyone in Wilson's place - even the ones who weren't bright young athletes with promising futures.